To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.
Silleri, Oct. 3, Twelve o'clock.
An enchanting ball, my dear; your little friend's head is turned. I
was more admired than Emily, which to be sure did not flatter my vanity
at all: I see she must content herself with being beloved, for without
coquetry 'tis in vain to expect admiration.
We had more than three hundred persons at the ball; above three
fourths men; all gay and well dressed, an elegant supper; in short,
it was charming.
I am half inclined to marry; I am not at all acquainted with the man
I have fixed upon, I never spoke to him till last night, nor did he
take the least notice of me, more than of other ladies, but that is
nothing; he pleases me better than any man I have seen here; he is not
handsome, but well made, and looks like a gentleman; he has a good
character, is heir to a very pretty estate. I will think further of it:
there is nothing more easy than to have him if I chuse it: 'tis only
saying to some of his friends, that I think Captain Fitzgerald the most
agreable fellow here, and he will immediately be astonished he did not
sooner find out I was the handsomest woman. I will consider this affair
seriously; one must marry, 'tis the mode; every body marries; why
don't you marry, Lucy?
This brother of yours is always here; I am surprized Sir George is
not jealous, for he pays no sort of attention to me, 'tis easy to see
why he comes; I dare say I shan't see him next week: Emily is going to
Mrs. Melmoth's, where she stays till to-morrow sevennight; she goes
from hence as soon as dinner is over.
Adieu! I am fatigued; we danced till morning; I am but this moment
up.
Yours,
A. Fermor.
Your brother danced with Mademoiselle Clairaut; do you know I was
piqued he did not give me the preference, as Emily danced with her
lover? not but that I had perhaps a partner full as agreable, at least
I have a mind to think so.
I hear it whispered that the whole affair of the wedding is to be
settled next week; my father is in the secret, I am not. Emily looks
ill this morning; she was not gay at the ball. I know not why, but she
is not happy. I have my fancies, but they are yet only fancies.
Adieu! my dear girl; I can no more.